Boston -LRB- CNN -RRB- Hillary Clinton stood with those protesting the deaths of two unarmed black males at the hands of law enforcement on Thursday , telling an audience in Boston that `` our country deserves a full and fair accounting '' of what happened .

In the last two weeks , grand juries have cleared police officers in the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri , and Eric Garner in Staten Island , New York . The deaths have led to rising tension and protests around the country about law enforcement 's treatment of black males .

At a massive gathering of 10,000 women in Massachusetts , Clinton said she recognized the `` pain and frustration '' in response to the deaths and backed federal probes that have been initiated by the Justice Department .

`` I 'm very pleased that the DOJ will be investigating what happened in Ferguson or Staten Island , '' Clinton said . `` Those families and those communities and our country deserve a full and fair accounting , as well as whatever substantive reforms are necessary to ensure equality , justice and respect for every citizen . ''

Clinton also called out the federal government for sending military-style equipment -- which Clinton called `` weapons of war '' -- to local police forces .

Instead , the former secretary of state and likely 2016 presidential candidate said the United States should `` invest in what works ... -LSB- not -RSB- buy weapons of war that have no place on our streets or contribute to unnecessary force or arrests . ''

Earlier this week , President Barack Obama issued an executive order on police militarization calling for better tracking of such equipment .

Clinton identified with both the peaceful protestors and law enforcement during her speech .

`` We all know there are decent , honorable , brave police officers out in our communities every single day , '' Clinton said , before telling the audience the fact that African-American males are more likely to end up in prison than their white counterparts was a byproduct of an `` out of balance '' criminal justice system .

`` Each of us has to grapple with some hard truths about race and justice in America , '' Clinton said . `` We have allowed our criminal justice system to get out of balance . And I personally hope that these tragedies give us the opportunity to come together as a nation to find our balance again . ''

Clinton last commented on Ferguson in August , a few weeks after Brown was shot dead by a police officer in the St. Louis suburb .

The former first lady told an audience of technology investors in San Francisco that the United States `` can do better . ''

`` This is what happens when the bonds of trust and respect that hold any community together fray , '' Clinton said . `` Nobody wants to see our streets look like a war zone , not in America . We are better than that . ''

On Thursday , Clinton said in light of sweeping protests , people need to try `` even harder to see the world through our neighbors eyes . ''

`` Are n't these our sons ? Are n't these our brothers ? '' Clinton asked . `` These tragedies did not happen in some far away place . They did not happen to some other people . There are our streets , our children . ''

The venue for the commentary was somewhat unique .

In a hall the size of multiple football fields , 10,000 women ate lunch and listened to Clinton talk at the Massachusetts Conference for Women . Outside the convention center hall a mix of corporations and shops were set up in booths to create what felt like a mix of a job fair and a mall .

Women shopped for make up , scarfs and jewelry as they handed out resumes and got coached on how to buff up their LinkedIn page .

Around the hall , there was excitement for Clinton . Many women chatted about her time on the speaking circuit and whether she would drop hints about her presidential plans on stage .

Bentley University President Gloria Larson , who founded the gathering 10 years ago , event pondered the subject from stage .

`` Do you think she might give us a few clues about her future plans today ? '' she questioned to a chorus of cheers from the crowd .

Clinton was not the only high-profile speaker on the stage Thursday . Lupita Nyong ` o , the award-winning actress from the film `` 12 Years a Slave , '' shared her story on overcoming her fears to become an actress .

She also told the crowd she was honored for share the stage with Clinton , who she described as , `` literally a leader among men . ''

As for Clinton , she declined to say whether she was running , but did reflect on the presidency when asked , calling it `` such a hard job '' where a `` support system is absolutely critical . ''

It 's unclear if Clinton was paid to speak at the event , though it had all the trappings of Clinton 's usually paid appearances .

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Hillary Clinton said Thursday the criminal justice system is `` out of balance ''

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Speaking in Boston , Clinton praised the Justice Department 's decision to review recent grand jury decisions

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Clinton was speaking before a crowd of 10,000 women when she commented on Ferguson , Staten Island